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Workers Don Crash Helmets Against Seagull Attacks

As seen in Will and Guy’s Strange But True Stories of Dangerous Seagulls, workers at a weather forecasting facility in Devon, England have resorted to wearing crash helmets to protect themselves from dive-bombing seagulls. It seems flocks of seagulls have been attacking staff gathering weather data from the roof of council offices in Newton Abbot (a market town and civil parish in the Teignbridge District of Devon on the River Teign).

One victim noted that the gull attacks can quickly go from bad to worse. He indicated that more gulls seem to be on the attack every year—and that this is his fourth year in dealing with the aggressive gulls. He recounted how the big gulls swoop down on his head followed by half a dozen others that dive-bomb him. He described the situation as very distressing, but noted that at least he now has a helmet to protect his head and face.

Unless discouraged by bird control measures, large birds like gulls will gather and roost around buildings and structures near bodies of water. In seaside towns worldwide, seagull attacks have been on the rise. The gulls can pose quite a problems for people working near gull nests. The large birds can easily reach speeds of up to 25 mph and rake heads with their sharp claws. Large gulls like the abundant herring gull have 4.5-foot wingspans and weigh over 2 pounds, which is why they can inflict some pretty nasty injuries.

Fortunately, workers around or near bodies of water don’t have to put up with gulls and the problems they bring. Today, there are many effective and humane bird deterrent measures one can turn to. Here are just a few:

Bird Spikes—Perfect deterring large pest birds like gulls,Bird Spikes have proven themselves time and again. The spiked strips are blunted and safe for birds, yet they will not allow the birds to land. They are available in stainless steel or rigid unbreakable polycarbonate. For really large birds, invest in the Mega Spike, which features huge 7-inch spikes.

Bird Slopes—The bird control device, you’ll never notice, bird slopes blend in with your architecture, creating a slippery surface birds will simply slide off of. Ideal for eaves, ledges, beams and other similar niches gulls often use to roost and nest. The panels are easily installed using nails, screws or glue.

Bird Foggers and Misters—If you already have flocks of gulls that won’t budge, Foggers and Misters deliver a fine mist of food-grade methyl anthranilate to the infested area. This grape extract irritates gulls, yet is harmless to gulls and humans.

Bird Scare Deterrents—Easy to install just about anywhere, these bird deterrents consist of foils, shiny tape banners and balloons that crackle in the breeze and reflect flashes of sunlight to make gulls too nervous to stay. Balloons have the added intimidation of a giant predator eye.